2006 News Releases

For Immediate Release

September 12, 2006

Banda Aceh
– PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia (Manulife Indonesia) Banda Aceh Branch announced today its plans to launch a strong sales drive of its unit-linked product portfolio, citing market potential in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam as the reason for the thrust. Unit-linked products have both life insurance and investment elements

“Sales of unit-linked products in Indonesia are experiencing a strong upward trend and we plan to capitalize on this momentum in Banda Aceh, a market we see as ripe with potential for this type of product,” said David Beynon, Manulife Indonesia President Director, at a press conference in Banda Aceh. “Unit-linked products offer our customers life insurance coverage with the added advantage of an investment vehicle to make their hard-earned money work for them.”

“For optimal protection and investment, Max Link is the most prudent choice,” said Ms. Husnayati.

Manulife provides much-needed assistance to schools
On the occasion of the management visit to Banda Aceh, Manulife Indonesia through MANULIFE PEDULI once again distributed aid in the form of school essentials such as uniforms, backpacks, and writing tools to students of both Manulife schools in Banda Aceh – SDN 25 Manulife and SDN 28 Manulife. This donation of goods represents the Company’s ongoing social concern for the Aceh community, and in particular, its caring commitment to the students and teachers of the two schools.

“Manulife is known as a pioneer in the “support school” concept within the life insurance industry,” said Mr. Beynon. “We are very proud of our commitment to improving education for children in Banda Aceh and believe the Manulife schools have set a positive example of the active role that the private sector can play in raising the quality of education in this city.”

About Banda Aceh Branch Office
Manulife Indonesia, operating in Banda Aceh since 1997, actively provides protection and life insurance services in communities throughout Aceh. One hundred and thirty-five agents and staff serve more than 4,400 customers. Providing service excellence, including prompt claim payment processing are priorities of Manulife Banda Aceh Branch.

Manulife Indonesia, the only multinational life insurance company that runs a full-scale operation in Banda Aceh, has been actively involved in the recovery of Aceh following the 2004 tsunami disaster.

About Manulife Indonesia
Established in 1985, Manulife Indonesia has received numerous industry awards. Manulife Indonesia was recently awarded the “

Call Center Award 2006”
in the Insurance category, confirming its excellence in customer service. In December 2005, Manulife Indonesia was chosen as the only life insurance company in Indonesia to win the “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award 2005” – “3rd Best Practice in Social Program”
in the Service Companies category, demonstrating the Company’s social concern to communities in need. In 2003, Manulife Indonesia was chosen as ‘Indonesia's Most Admired Company (IMAC)’ in the Insurance category by Frontier Marketing Research & Business Week magazine.

Manulife Indonesia offers the most comprehensive products and services in the Indonesian industry of life insurance, employee benefits and wealth management. Headquartered in Jakarta, Manulife Indonesia operates through a network of 112 branch offices in 33 cities throughout the country, supported by 5,000 employees and full-time professional agents who serve more than 950,000 customers.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn $370 billion (US$332 billion) as at June 30, 2006.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at
www.manulife.com.